TGS 2025: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Q&A with Director Naoki Hamaguchi

During this year’s Tokyo Game Show at the bustling Makuhari Messe, we seized a precious fifteen minutes to converse with Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. In this brief yet insightful interaction, we discussed the upcoming releases of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series S|X, as showcased by Square-Enix. Although our time was limited and mediated through an interpreter, we managed to explore several key topics that are top of mind for fans and players alike.

Innovations in Game Formats

In a recent interview, you mentioned that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will be distributed on a Game Key Card instead of a traditional physical cartridge. Do you foresee Nintendo enhancing the speeds of these Game Key Cards in the future?

From my perspective, the loading speed limitations are primarily a concern connected to the hardware specifications of the Nintendo Switch 2. While I can’t directly speak for Nintendo, I believe the innovative Game Key Card format they’ve proposed is a remarkable development.

It is unlikely that Nintendo will focus on improving the loading speed of traditional cartridges. Instead, I anticipate they will concentrate more on popularizing the Game Key Card format, which is beneficial for developers like us. We also aim to ensure players understand what this new format entails in terms of costs and usability.

The collaboration between Nintendo and publishers to promote the Game Key Card format seems to pave the most promising path forward for players.

Accessibility Options in Gameplay

The updated versions of Final Fantasy VII Remake feature accessibility options, like Easy mode and infinite health, available through the Streamlined Progression feature. Are these adjustments in response to the criticisms regarding the original release’s difficulty?

The inclusion of these features goes beyond merely balancing the game; we believe the current gameplay balance is quite satisfactory, as extensive fine-tuning has been performed throughout development.

Our intention behind these enhancements is to adapt to the increasingly diverse ways contemporary audiences engage with video games. Initially, players enjoyed console gaming on living room TVs, but today, we see gameplay extending to bedrooms and even outdoor handheld use. Recognizing this variety in gaming environments, we aimed to create a more versatile experience that caters to all types of players.

Future Developments on Mobile Platforms

Is there any ambition to develop a mobile version of the Final Fantasy VII trilogy?

We are certainly interested in reaching a broader audience. However, when assessing the mobile market—specifically among iPhone and Android users—we currently do not perceive sufficient demand to justify creating a mobile version of the Final Fantasy VII Remake. If that demand arises, we would be open to exploring it.

As of now, we don’t feel the market conditions warrant such a move. Nevertheless, we will continue to monitor trends and assess opportunities that may allow us to revisit this idea in the future.

DLC Considerations for the Remake Trilogy

Are there plans for downloadable content (DLC) that would connect Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to the trilogy’s concluding installment, similar to what was done with Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade?

Initially, there were thoughts around developing a Rebirth DLC. However, upon reassessment, we recognized that fans are primarily eager for the third installment to be released as quickly as possible. Thus, we decided to prioritize that goal over focusing on Rebirth DLC.

That said, once the third installment is launched, we may revisit the possibility of creating DLC to enrich the experience. Given the completion of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, we anticipate a larger audience will be interested in engaging with the franchise, which opens up opportunities for potential DLC or even new titles.

Potential for a Standalone Queen’s Blood Game

If fan interest is sufficient, would you consider prioritizing a standalone Queen’s Blood game?

As mentioned earlier, our immediate focus is delivering a high-quality third installment as soon as possible. Currently, a solo Queen’s Blood title is not among our main priorities, and we have not finalized plans for what comes post-release of the third installment. However, if demand is significant, we will certainly take that into consideration.

Soundtrack Highlights

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth features an extensive soundtrack. Is there a particular song that has resonated with you the most?

While tracks like the iconic Final Fantasy main theme are classics, I’ve found myself particularly fond of the Stamp song, Bow Wow Wow (Chuken Stamp).

It’s incredibly catchy!

I’m hopeful that many players will come to enjoy that track as much as I do.

Thank you for sharing your insights with us.

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